Session: Cultivating Equity Consciousness: Transformative Approaches to Racial and Tribal Socialization (Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference)

Cultivating consciousness and promoting transformative socialization practices are essential in societies marked by persistent racial and tribal inequities. Consciousness refers to individuals' awareness of the social, cultural, and historical forces that shape their identities and experiences, particularly in relation to race and tribal affiliation. Socialization, conversely, encompasses the processes through which individuals acquire the values, beliefs, and behaviors of their society or group. Together, consciousness and socialization play a crucial role in shaping attitudes, behaviors, and, ultimately, the structures of society.

The symposium combines four studies illuminating innovative approaches to promoting equity consciousness and addressing systemic injustices. One aspect of the symposium focuses on parents' racial socialization practices. One study evaluates a community-based program designed to empower Black parents and caregivers, enhancing their racial socialization practices, and building confidence in navigating the challenges of raising Black children in a racially unjust society. The findings suggest that the program significantly improved parents' racial socialization strategies, educational involvement, and overall parenting confidence and skills. These results underscore the importance of community-driven interventions in empowering Black families to resist racial injustices through conscious and informed parenting. Another study examines the racial socialization practices of White parents who have participated in critical consciousness training. The findings reveal how critical consciousness training can influence White parents' engagement with racial issues and may have the potential to shape their racial socialization strategies for their children. This study highlights the potential of consciousness-raising interventions in promoting anti-racist parenting practices and fostering greater racial equity in family dynamics. Expanding beyond racial equity, another aspect of the symposium introduces an innovative intervention tailored to address tribalism in African societies. This program aims to cultivate Tribal Equity Consciousness among individuals and communities, fostering mutual respect and understanding among diverse tribal identities. The findings suggest that the program led to increased awareness and appreciation of tribal diversity, contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious social environment. Finally, the symposium discusses the foundational framework of the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute (RECI), which underpins two of the aforementioned studies. Founded with the mission to provide individuals and communities with the tools to deconstruct racism and cultivate racial equity actively, RECI stands as a beacon for transformative change.

The symposium highlights the importance of consciousness-raising interventions in addressing racial and tribal inequities and underscores the transformative potential of community-based, culturally responsive approaches in promoting equity and justice for all. By focusing on both consciousness and socialization practices, these interventions aim to disrupt intergenerational patterns of bias and discrimination, fostering more inclusive and equitable environments. Through these efforts, the symposium aims to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society for future generations, where individuals are empowered to challenge racial biases and inequities and where communities are united in their commitment to social justice.